Where is Portezuelo de Chapiquiña?
Chile, south-america
47.1 km
4,453 m
moderate
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for the Portezuelo de Chapiquiña! This high-altitude pass in Chile's Arica and Parinacota Region is a stunner, clocking in at a whopping 14,609 feet above sea level within the gorgeous Parque Nacional Lauca.
The main road stretches for about 29 miles. But for the truly adventurous, a gravel side road beckons westward, climbing even higher to 15,616 feet! Expect some steep sections on that spur. And once you're at the top, you'll be greeted by plenty of *apachetas* – those cool rock piles left by travelers. Be warned though, it's one of the highest roads around, so the air is thin! Keep your eyes peeled for incredible views, but also be mindful of the unpaved sections and potential hazards.
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 47.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,453 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in south-america
hardRoad trip guide: Conquering Planchon Pass in the Andes
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I've got a wild one for you: Paso del Planchón, a super-high mountain pass straddling the Argentina-Chile border at a whopping 2,515m (8,251ft). Also known as Paso Internacional Vergara, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Picture this: you're deep in the Andes, bumping along 196 km (121 miles) of totally unpaved road – Ruta Provincial 226 on the Argentina side turning into J-55 once you cross into Chile. We're talking sandy sections, the whole nine yards! This epic route connects Las Loicas in Argentina’s Mendoza Province with Curicó in Chile's Maule Region. Now, for the real talk: this pass is usually a no-go zone. But, get this, they fix it up between November 1st and April 30th each year, opening it up to tourists and mining companies. Be prepared for crazy dry air and insane temperature swings – think warm days baking in the sun and freezing nights. We're talking potential highs of 15°C in summer and lows of -25°C in winter. But hey, the scenery is out of this world!
hardWhere is Paso Mamuil Malal?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, buckle up, adventurers, because Paso Mamuil Malal is calling! This international high-mountain pass, soaring to 4,111 feet, straddles the border, nestled north of . Word to the wise: double-check the time zone situation with the local tourist offices before you head out, because things can get a little funky with seasonal changes. The road stretches for about 53 miles from to . On the side, you'll be cruising on a fully paved road called , starting at . But heads up! While there are plans to change this, the side is currently unpaved on the way to the pass, so your vehicle *will* get dusty. A word of caution: This pass can get snowed in during winter, leading to temporary closures. Also, during those chilly months, .
hardWhere is Alto de La Línea?
🇨🇴 Colombia
Okay, so picture this: Alto de La Línea, a mountain pass way up in the Colombian Andes, clocking in at a cool 3,271 meters (that's over 10,700 feet!). You'll find it straddling the Tolima and Quindío departments, right in the heart of the Cordillera Central. This fully paved road, also known as Ruta Nacional 40, stretches between Armenia and Ibagué. Word of warning: this road is no joke, so the Túnel de la Línea (a massive, almost 9 km long tunnel!) was built to bypass the roughest section. Think you're up for it? Be ready for constantly shifting weather, endless twists, and hairpin turns, not to mention sharing the road with a ton of big trucks. Oh, and did I mention it's steep? We're talking gradients up to 14% in some spots! It's known as the "Colombian Stelvio," a legendary climb that's been featured in major cycling races. The views are epic, but so is the traffic.
moderatePilcomayo bridge
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Alright, thrill-seekers, picture this: you're cruising through the Tarija Department in southeastern Bolivia and you stumble upon this crazy-long wooden bridge in the tiny town of Villamontes. This ain't your average bridge, folks! We're talking a whopping 441 meters (that's almost 1,447 feet!) of rustic charm stretching across the Pilcomayo River. It's narrow, just over 4 meters wide, and get this - it's technically a railroad bridge, but you can totally drive your car across it too! Just be prepared to share the space and maybe make room for oncoming traffic, especially if you're heading towards Abra Puca Loma. Get ready for some serious photo ops and a totally unique road trip experience!